My ultimate goal with learning this is I want to self host my own Monero node and eventually maybe even self host emails and after that learn docker as well.
But I am a long, long way from there.
Where do I start with something like this if I have no experience with networking?
Should I just start with learning a VPS? I just don’t like the idea of me not being able to physically control the server because I think one day Monero might be outlawed or something.
But I’ll do whatever I have to to learn.
First based on everything I have ever heard, don’t host your own email server. If you want to learn it that’s fine, but don’t do it for something you actually rely on. My understanding it’s a constant miserable slog to keep it functioning.
Second for getting started, get a cheap used computer and install Linux on it. Also be prepared to wipe it and install something different. Docker may be a good place to go next. You can find lots of guides online, there are tones of apps setup to run with docker you can test out. You could also explore virtual machines. Both have the advantage of making it easier to experiment with different things.
I constantly hear this but I just want to be the counter argument here.
Self hosting email is not the impossible tasks that people make it out to be. It is on the more advanced side of things though if you are hosting your primary email that you rely on.
I’ve been hosting my own email forany years now and have had no issues whatsoever but I also have years of experience and know how email works better than many that have no interest in such.
I would NOT recommended starting your self hosting journey with email but I will never discourage people from doing it.
Take your time. Ask questions any time you don’t understand something. Be ready to learn a lot and design a solid plan for disaster recovery.
+1 hosting email sucks.